Ecclesiastes 7:17 nasb — Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?

NASB

"Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?"

— Ecclesiastes 7:17, NASB

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Ecclesiastes 7:17 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 7 — Context

14

In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider-- God has made the one as well as the other So that man will not discover anything that will be after him.

15

I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness.

16

Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?

17

Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?

18

It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them.

19

Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

20

Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.

Ecclesiastes 7:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 7:17 say?
Ecclesiastes 7:17 in the NASB reads: “Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?”
Where is Ecclesiastes 7:17 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 7:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 7, verse 17.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 7:17.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 7:17 in?
Ecclesiastes 7:17 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 7:17?
Ecclesiastes 7:17 reads (NASB): “Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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